Dart Canada Inc. is committed to the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity and to meeting the needs of people with disabilities, in a timely manner. We will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA).

Foam Recycling Now Available - Philadelphia

Residents and businesses can recycle foam cups and other materials for free; Pilot program launched in conjunction with America Recycles Day

PHILADELPHIA, PA - November 15, 2011 – In conjunction with America Recycles Day, the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Streets Department are today launching its polystyrene foam (#6) recycling pilot program. The free program will allow residents and businesses to recycle clean foam #6 cups and many other commonly used #6 foam consumer materials at the city’s Northeast Philadelphia Drop-Off Center.

Commonly referred to as “Styrofoam”, a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company, foam #6 is a recyclable product that is used in a wide range of consumer products, such as cups, foodservice containers, plates, egg cartons and large molded blocks used to package electronics. Recyclable foam can be identified by the symbol located on it. When collected and recycled, these materials can be remade into new products like picture frames, crown moldings, office products and nursery plant containers.

“Today’s launch of the city’s foam #6 recycling pilot program is another step in our continued efforts to provide Philadelphia’s residents with innovative recycling programs and divert as much waste as possible from our landfills” said Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson. “It is very fitting that we are launching this program on America Recycles Day, when the nation is thinking about how we can all recycle more to create a green and clean planet. I would like to encourage all Philadelphia residents to take advantage of this pilot program, to make it a success, and pave the way for us to expand the program to other Drop-Off Centers throughout the city.”

Dart Container Corporation (Dart), a leading manufacturer of polystyrene foam #6 foodservice products, is the City of Philadelphia’s partner in this program. Dart will collect all materials from the Northeast Philadelphia Drop-Off Center and recycle the materials at its Leola, PA facility. The foam #6 drop-off collection container and transport of materials are provided by Dart at no charge to the city, eliminating all costs associated with this expansion of the recycling program. Residents will not incur additional taxes due to the implementation of this service.

“We’ve had great feedback from residents and businesses on the programs we have implemented in other areas in the region,” said Ray Ehrlich, Dart Container Corporation Regional Manager for Government Affairs and the Environment. “It just confirms that there is a market for growing recycling options and the community wants to help divert waste from local landfills.”

The City of Philadelphia is just one of the latest in a growing list of regions that are taking advantage of expanded foam #6 recycling options and infrastructure. “On behalf of the city and the Streets Department, I would like to thank Dart for stepping up to be our partner on this program,” said Tolson. “We are all looking forward to working with Dart to make this a successful program.”

Philadelphia residents and businesses can drop-off their clean foam #6 materials at the Drop-Off Center located at State Road & Ashburner Street. Foam materials can be placed in the blue drop-off bin clearly marked to accept foam #6 materials. Operating hours for the Drop-Off Center are Monday-Saturday, 8 am-6 pm. There is no limit to the amount of foam materials that a resident can bring at one time. A map to the Drop-Off Center can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/43cwq8a

The City of Philadelphia will officially launch the foam #6 recycling pilot program today at 3 pm with an event at the Drop-Off Center. Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, Commissioner Tolson and Dart representatives will be on-hand to discuss the program and its benefits to the city and residents. Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend and bring the foam #6 materials to be recycled. Examples of the materials that can be recycled and the end products will be displayed. City officials will take questions about the program.